Storage device performing peer-to-peer communication with external device without intervention of host

ABSTRACT

A storage device is provided. The storage device includes a field programmable gate array board connected to a first port of the storage device; and a storage controller including a first interface circuit and a second interface circuit. The first interface circuit is connected to the FPGA board, the second interface circuit is connected to a second port of the storage device, at least one port from among the first port and the second port being configured to connect to an external storage device, and the FPGA board is configured to provide a path for transferring data in a peer-to-peer manner between the storage controller and the external storage device without intervention of a host.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application a Continuation Application of U.S. application Ser. No. 16/170,264 filed on Oct. 25, 2018, which claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 from Korean Patent Application No. 10-2017-0154281 filed on Nov. 17, 2017 in the Korean Intellectual Property Office and Korean Patent Application No. 10-2018-0079419 filed on Jul. 9, 2018, in Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

FIELD

Methods and apparatuses consistent with example embodiments relate to an electronic device, and more particularly, to operations and configurations of a storage device which stores and outputs data.

RELATED ART

An electronic device performs its own function according to operations of electronic circuits included the electronic device. The electronic device may perform its own function while operating solely. In some cases, the electronic device may perform its own function while communicating with other electronic device.

A storage device is an example of an electronic device. The storage device may store and output data according to operations of components included in the storage device, and thus may provide a user with a storage service. The storage device may manage data solely, or may manage data while communicating with other electronic device.

In recent years, the volume and type of information distributed has increased sharply and a capacity of the storage device is also increasing to manage the large amount of data. In addition, in order to store a larger amount of data, a plurality of storage devices may be employed together to manage data of a single electronic system. The plurality of storage devices may store and output data while communicating with each other, and may provide a capacity for storing the larger amount of data.

However, an excessive amount of data managed in the plurality of storage devices increased performance of each storage device becomes higher, results in an increased load for managing the storage devices and the data. In particular, when a host system takes full charge of managing the storage devices and the data, a workload of the host system may become heavier.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure may provide a storage device configured to perform peer-to-peer communication with other storage device without intervention of a host.

In some example embodiments, a storage device includes: a field programmable gate array (a FPGA) board connected to a first port of the storage device; and a storage controller including a first interface circuit and a second interface circuit, the first interface circuit being connected to the FPGA board, the second interface circuit being connected to a second port of the storage device. At least one port from among the first port and the second port is configured to connect to an external storage device, and the FPGA board is configured to provide a path for transferring data in a peer-to-peer manner between the storage controller and the external storage device without intervention of a host.

In some example embodiments, a storage device includes a storage controller including a first interface circuit and a second interface circuit, the first interface circuit being connected to a first port of the storage device, and the second interface circuit being connected to a second port of the storage device; and a memory device. The first interface circuit is configured to operate in a plurality of operation modes based on whether the first port is connected to an external device and a type of the external device connected to the first port, and the storage controller is configured to exchange data with an external storage device connected to the first port in a peer-to-peer manner without intervention of a host.

In some example embodiments, a storage device includes a storage controller interposed between a first port of the storage device and a second port of the storage device; and an operation logic circuit configured to generate processed data by performing a processing operation based on data received from the storage controller or the second port. The storage device is configured to, when the first port is connected to an external storage device, output the processed data to the external storage device through the first port without intervention of a host.

In some example embodiments, a storage device includes a storage controller interposed between a first port of the storage device and a second port of the storage device; and a memory device. The storage device is configured to, when the first port is connected to an external storage device, output first data to the external storage device through the first port without intervention of a host, the first data being generated based on at least one from among second data stored in the memory device and third data received through the second port.

In some example embodiments, a storage system includes a first storage device including a first port and a second port; and a second storage device comprising a third port. The second port is connected to the third port, and the first storage device is configured to communicate with the second storage device through the second port and the third port without intervention of a host. The first storage device is configured to output first data through the second port based on at least one data of second data received through the first port and third data stored in the first storage device. The second storage device is configured to generate fourth data based on at least one from among the first data received through the third port and fifth data stored in the second storage device. An operation result corresponding to a request of the host is provided to the host based on the fourth data.

According to the example embodiments, a plurality of storage devices may perform peer-to-peer communication without intervention of a host. Accordingly, even when an amount of data increases and performance of each storage device increases, a load of the host on managing the storage devices and the data may be significantly reduced. This may reduce a design cost and a management cost of the whole electronic system.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other aspects, features and advantages will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example configuration of an electronic system according to some example embodiments.

FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram illustrating an example implementation associated with a storage device of FIG. 1.

FIGS. 3 and 4 are block diagrams illustrating example configurations associated with an electronic system of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating an example configuration associated with storage devices of FIG. 1.

FIGS. 6 to 10 are block diagrams for describing example operations associated with storage devices of FIG. 5.

FIGS. 11 and 12 are block diagrams illustrating example configurations associated with storage devices of FIG. 5.

FIGS. 13 and 14 are block diagrams illustrating example configurations associated with storage devices of FIG. 1.

FIG. 15 is a block diagram illustrating an example configuration associated with storage devices of FIG. 1.

FIGS. 16 and 17 are flowcharts describing example operations of a variable interface circuit of FIG. 15.

FIG. 18 is a block diagram illustrating an example configuration associated with storage devices of FIG. 1.

FIG. 19 is a conceptual diagram illustrating an example implementation associated with an electronic system of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example configuration of an electronic system 1000 according to some example embodiments.

The electronic system 1000 may include a main processor 1101, a working memory 1200, a storage system 1300, a communication block 1400, a user interface 1500, and a bus 1600. For example, the electronic system 1000 may be one of electronic devices such as a desktop computer, a laptop computer, a tablet computer, a smart phone, a wearable device, a video game console, a workstation, one or more servers, an electric vehicle, home appliances, a medical device, and/or the like.

The main processor 1101 may control overall operations of the electronic system 1000. For example, the main processor 1101 may be implemented in a general-purpose processor, a special-purpose processor, or an application processor, including one or more processor cores.

The working memory 1200 may store data used in an operation of the electronic system 1000. For example, the working memory 1200 may temporarily store data processed or to be processed by the main processor 1101. For example, the working memory 1200 may include a volatile memory such as a random access memory (RAM), a static random access memory (SRAM), a dynamic RAM (DRAM), or a synchronous DRAM (SDRAM), and/or a nonvolatile memory such as a phase-change RAM (PRAM), a magneto-resistive RAM (MRAM), a resistive RAM (ReRAM), or a ferroelectric RAM (FRAM).

The storage system 1300 may include one or more storage devices. For example, the storage system 1300 may include storage devices 1300 a, 1300 b, and 1300 c. FIG. 1 illustrates three storage devices 1300 a, 1300 b, and 1300 c, but the number of storage devices included in the storage system 1300 may be variously changed or modified to be suitable for requirements of the electronic system 1000.

Each of the storage devices 1300 a, 1300 b, and 1300 c may store data regardless of whether power is supplied. For example, each of the storage devices 1300 a, 1300 b, and 1300 c may include a nonvolatile memory such as a flash memory, a PRAM, an MRAM, a ReRAM, an FRAM, and/or the like. For example, each of the storage devices 1300 a, 1300 b, and 1300 c may include a storage medium such as a solid state drive (SSD), a card storage, or an embedded storage.

The communication block 1400 may support at least one of various wireless/wired communication protocols to communicate with an external device/system of the electronic system 1000. The user interface 1500 may include various input/output interfaces to arbitrate in communication between a user and the electronic system 1000.

The bus 1600 may provide a communication path between components of the electronic system 1000. The components of the electronic system 1000 may exchange data with each other in compliance with a bus format of the bus 1600. For example, the bus format may include one or more of various interface protocols such as universal serial bus (USB), small computer system interface (SCSI), peripheral component interconnect express (PCIe), serial advanced technology attachment (SATA), serial attached SCSI (SAS), nonvolatile memory express (NVMe), universal flash storage (UFS), double data rate (DDR), low power DDR (LPDDR), and/or the like.

Below, example configurations associated with the PCIe protocol and example embodiments associated with the storage devices 1300 a, 1300 b, and 1300 c will be described. However, the example embodiments of the present disclosure may be variously changed or modified to be employed with regard to an interface protocol other than the PCIe protocol. In addition, the example embodiments of the present disclosure may be employed in any electronic device (e.g., the working memory 1200) which is capable of storing and outputting data, as well as the storage devices 1300 a, 1300 b, and 1300 c. The following descriptions are provided to facilitate better understanding, and are not intended to limit the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram illustrating an example implementation associated with the storage device 1300 a of FIG. 1.

In some example embodiments, the storage device 1300 a may include a printed circuit board (PCB) 1307 a. The storage device 1300 a may include one or more chips or packages mounted or equipped on the PCB 1307 a. For example, memory devices 1310 a and a storage controller 1330 a may be mounted or equipped on the PCB 1307 a.

The storage controller 1330 a may control and manage overall operations of the storage device 1300 a. To this end, the storage controller 1330 a may include hardware circuits (e.g., an analog circuit, a logic circuit, and/or the like) configured to perform intended operations. Additionally or alternatively, the storage controller 1330 a may include one or more processor cores configured to execute an instruction set of a program code for performing intended operations.

The memory devices 1310 a may include memories of one or more types. The memory devices 1310 a may store or output data under control of the storage controller 1330 a. For example, the memory devices 1310 a may communicate with the storage controller 1330 a through conductive patterns printed on the PCB 1307 a.

In some example embodiments, the storage device 1300 a may be configured to communicate with other device outside the storage device 1300 a through a dual-port. For example, the dual-port of the storage device 1300 a may include a first port and a second port, and the storage device 1300 a may receive data from another device or output data to another device through the first port and the second port. For example, when the storage device 1300 a is an SSD, the storage device 1300 a may be referred to as a dual-port SSD.

For example, the storage device 1300 a may include connectors 1390 a and 1395 a corresponding to the dual-port. The connectors 1390 a and 1395 a may include pins or patterns 1391 a and 1396 a formed of a conductive material. For example, each of the connectors 1390 a and 1395 a may be connected to another device directly or indirectly (e.g., through a conductive line, a cable, and/or the like). In this case, the storage device 1300 a may exchange data with other device through the pins or patterns 1391 a and 1396 a.

For example, the connector 1390 a and the pins or patterns 1391 a may correspond to the first port, and the connector 1395 a and the pins or patterns 1396 a may correspond to the second port. For example, the storage controller 1330 a may be connected to the pins or patterns 1391 a and 1396 a through conductive patterns printed on the PCB 1307 a. Accordingly, the storage controller 1330 a may output or receive data through the first port and the second port.

The first port and the second port may provide independent communication. For example, an operation of outputting or receiving data through the first port may be independent of an operation of outputting or receiving data through the second port.

A configuration of the storage device 1300 a (e.g., the number of the memory devices 1310 a, arrangement of the memory devices 1310 a and the storage controller 1330 a, positions and shapes of the connectors 1390 a and 1395 a, positions and shapes of the pins or patterns 1391 a and 1396 a, and/or the like) may be variously changed or modified to be different from the configuration illustrated in FIG. 2. The example implementation of FIG. 2 is provided to facilitate better understanding, and is not intended to limit the present disclosure. The storage devices 1300 b and 1300 c, other storage devices of the storage system 1300, may be configured to be identical or similar to the storage device 1300 a.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example configuration 1000 a of the electronic system 1000 of FIG. 1.

The configuration 1000 a may include the main processor 1101, a root complex 1003, a switch 1005, the working memory 1200, and the storage devices 1300 a and 1300 b.

The root complex 1003 may manage a data flow between components of the electronic system 1000. For example, the root complex 1003 may control a data path, may schedule a data transfer, or may resolve a communication collision. For example, the main processor 1101, the working memory 1200, and the storage devices 1300 a and 1300 b may be connected to the root complex 1003, and may exchange data with one another while communicating with one another through the root complex 1003.

In some cases, the switch 1005 may be further connected to the root complex 1003, and the storage devices 1300 a and 1300 b may be connected to the root complex 1003 through the switch 1005. For example, the switch 1005 may include a PCIe switch or other type of switch. The switch 1005 may control a data path between the root complex 1003 and the storage devices 1300 a and 1300 b. The root complex 1003 and the switch 1005 may be implemented in a hardware circuit for data control and data transfer.

In some examples, the storage device 1300 a may be connected to the switch 1005 through the dual-port. For example, the first port of the storage device 1300 a may provide a data path P11 between the storage device 1300 a and the switch 1005, and the second port of the storage device 1300 a may provide a data path P12 between the storage device 1300 a and the switch 1005. Likewise, the storage device 1300 b may also be connected to the switch 1005 through a dual-port. Additionally, the storage device 1300 c may also be connected to the switch 1005 through a dual-port.

The main processor 1101 may communicate with the storage devices 1300 a and 1300 b through the root complex 1003 and the switch 1005. In the present disclosure, an object which is capable of accessing components (such as the storage devices 1300 a and 1300 b) of the electronic system 1000 may be referred to as a “host”. The main processor 1101 may be an example of objects which is capable of operating as the host. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

When each of the storage devices 1300 a and 1300 b communicates with the main processor 1101 through the dual-port, reliability may be improved. For example, even when one port of the storage device 1300 a has a failure or is disabled, the other port of the storage device 1300 a may support communication.

In the example of FIG. 3, the storage devices 1300 a and 1300 b may communicate with each other through the switch 1005 in a peer-to-peer manner. In this case, a host (e.g., the main processor 1101) may intervene in communication between the storage devices 1300 a and 1300 b.

For example, when data is transmitted from the storage device 1300 a to the storage device 1300 b through the switch 1005, the main processor 1101 may intervene in controlling a data path directed to the storage device 1300 b and mapping a memory address. To this end, the main processor 1101 may intervene in processing data exchanged between the storage devices 1300 a and 1300 b.

Meanwhile, when a capacity of each of the storage devices 1300 a and 1300 b is large, a large amount of data may be exchanged between the storage devices 1300 a and 1300 b. In addition, performance of each of the storage devices 1300 a and 1300 b may be high to manage the large amount of data. In this case, as the host intervenes in processing the data exchanged between the storage devices 1300 a and 1300 b, a workload of the host may become heavy.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating an example configuration 1000 b associated with the electronic system 1000 of FIG. 1.

The configuration 1000 b may include the main processor 1101, the root complex 1003, the switch 1005, the working memory 1200, and the storage devices 1300 a and 1300 b.

In the configuration 1000 b, both the first port and the second port of the storage device 1300 a are not connected to the switch 1005. Instead, the first port of the storage device 1300 a may be connected to the storage device 1300 b, and the second port of the storage device 1300 a may be connected to the switch 1005.

For example, the second port of the storage device 1300 a may provide a data path P21 between the storage device 1300 a and the switch 1005, and the first port of the storage device 1300 a may provide a data path P22 between the storage devices 1300 a and 1300 b. The storage device 1300 a may communicate with the main processor 1101 through the data path P21, the switch 1005, and the root complex 1003.

Likewise, one port of the dual-port of the storage device 1300 b may be connected to the storage device 1300 a. The storage device 1300 a may communicate with the storage device 1300 b through the data path P22 in the peer-to-peer manner. Additionally, the storage device 1300 c may also be connected to the storage device 1300 a or 1300 b through one port of the dual-port for peer-to-peer communication.

The other port of the dual-port of the storage device 1300 b may be connected to the switch 1005 or may not be connected to the switch 1005. When the storage device 1300 b is not connected to the switch 1005, the storage device 1300 b may communicate with the main processor 1101 through the storage device 1300 a. When the storage device 1300 b is connected to the switch 1005, the storage device 1300 b may communicate with the main processor 1101 through the switch 1005.

In the configuration 1000 b, the switch 1005 may not be required in communication between the storage devices 1300 a and 1300 b. Data exchanged between the storage devices 1300 a and 1300 b may be processed by the storage device 1300 a and/or the storage device 1300 b. The host (e.g., the main processor 1101) may not intervene at all in processing the data exchanged between the storage devices 1300 a and 1300 b (or may minimally intervene in processing the data).

All or some of data processing operations performed by the host in the configuration 1000 a may be performed by the storage devices 1300 a and 1300 b in the configuration 1000 b. Accordingly, in the configuration 1000 b, even when an amount of the data exchanged between the storage devices 1300 a and 1300 b increases and performance of the storage devices 1300 a and 1300 b becomes high, workload of the host may be significantly reduced. This may reduce a design cost and a management cost of the whole electronic system 1000.

FIG. 4 illustrates that the storage device 1300 a is connected to the switch 1005. In some example embodiments, the storage device 1300 a may be connected to the root complex 1003 without the switch 1005. The electronic system 1000 may be variously changed or modified to be different from the configuration 1000 b.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating an example configuration associated with the storage devices 1300 a, 1300 b, and 1300 c of FIG. 1.

In some example embodiments, the storage devices 1300 a, 1300 b, and 1300 c may include storage devices 1301 a, 1301 b, and 1301 c respectively. Similarly to those described with reference to FIG. 4, the storage devices 1301 a, 1301 b, and 1301 c may be connected to each other without the root complex 1003 or the switch 1005, to communicate in a peer-to-peer manner. To this end, each of the storage devices 1301 a, 1301 b, and 1301 c may be implemented in a dual-port structure.

FIG. 5 illustrates that the storage devices 1301 a and 1301 c are directly connected to the main processor 1101. However, in some example embodiments, the root complex 1003 and/or the switch 1005 may be provided between the storage devices 1301 a and 1301 c and the main processor 1101. In the present disclosure, a connection to the main processor 1101 may include a direct connection (e.g., without the root complex 1003 and the switch 1005) and an indirect connection (e.g., with the root complex 1003 and/or the switch 1005).

The storage device 1301 a may include at least one memory device 1310 a, a storage controller 1331 a, and a peer-to-peer manager 1350 a. The storage controller 1331 a may correspond to the storage controller 1330 a. The storage controller 1331 a may control and manage overall operations of the storage device 1301 a. The memory device 1310 a may store or output data under control of the storage controller 1331 a.

The storage controller 1331 a may include interface circuits 1335 a and 1336 a. Each of the interface circuits 1335 a and 1336 a may include a physical layer and/or a logical layer configured to transmit/receive and process data, a signal, and/or a packet to facilitate the storage controller 1331 a to communicate with a component outside the storage controller 1331 a. Each of the interface circuits 1335 a and 1336 a may include a hardware circuit configured to process communication between the storage controller 1331 a and an external component.

For example, the interface circuit 1335 a may be connected to the second port of the storage device 1301 a. The second port of the storage device 1301 a may provide a data path P21 a between the storage controller 1331 a and the main processor 1101. The storage device 1301 a may communicate with the main processor 1101 through the interface circuit 1335 a, the data path P21 a, and the second port.

For example, the interface circuit 1336 a may be connected to the peer-to-peer manager 1350 a. A data path P23 a may be provided between the interface circuit 1336 a and the peer-to-peer manager 1350 a. The storage controller 1331 a may communicate with the peer-to-peer manager 1350 a through the interface circuit 1336 a and the data path P23 a.

The peer-to-peer manager 1350 a may be connected to the first port of the storage device 1301 a. The peer-to-peer manager 1350 a may be between the first port of the storage device 1301 a and the storage controller 1331 a. The storage controller 1331 a may be between the first port of the storage device 1301 a and the second port of the storage device 1301 a.

The storage device 1301 a may be connected to another device (e.g., the storage device 1301 b) outside the storage device 1301 a through the first port of the storage device 1301 a. The first port of the storage device 1301 a may provide a data path P22 a between the peer-to-peer manager 1350 a and the storage device 1301 b. The storage device 1301 a may communicate with the storage device 1301 b through the data path P22 a and the first port of the storage device 1301 a.

The peer-to-peer manager 1350 a may include an internal switch 1351 a and an operation logic circuit 1352 a. The internal switch 1351 a and the operation logic circuit 1352 a may communicate with each other through an internal bus of the peer-to-peer manager 1350 a. According to operations of the internal switch 1351 a and the operation logic circuit 1352 a, the peer-to-peer manager 1350 a may provide a path (e.g., the data paths P22 a and P23 a) for transferring data between the storage controller 1331 a and the storage device 1301 b in the peer-to-peer manner.

The internal switch 1351 a may manage a flow of data to be output from the storage device 1301 a through the first port and data received by the storage device 1301 a through the first port. Accordingly, the peer-to-peer manager 1350 a may output data to the storage device 1301 b through the first port or may receive data from the storage device 1301 b through the first port, based on data exchanged with the storage controller 1331 a.

The internal switch 1351 a may be implemented in a hardware circuit to manage a data flow. Herein, the term “switch” is used, but the implementation of the internal switch 1351 a may be variously changed or modified. For example, the internal switch 1351 a may be implemented in a form of an internal root complex to control a data path, schedule a data transfer, or resolve a communication collision (similarly to the root complex 1003). Alternatively, the internal switch 1351 a may be implemented in a form of a combination of an internal root complex and a switch (similarly to the root complex 1003 and the switch 1005).

However, the internal switch 1351 a may manage only a data flow between the storage controller 1331 a and the first port of the storage device 1301 a. Accordingly, the internal switch 1351 a may be implemented to have a size (e.g., a circuit size, a circuit area, or a circuit scale) which is smaller than a size of the root complex 1003 and/or the switch 1005.

The operation logic circuit 1352 a may perform a processing operation based on data received in the peer-to-peer manager 1350 a. For example, the processing operation may include one or more of various operations, such as an operation of monitoring information (e.g., a data amount, a data path, an address, and/or the like) associated with the received data, a redundant array of inexpensive disks (RAID) operation based on the received data, and a regular expression search operation based on the received data. However, the present disclosure is not limited to this example.

For example, the operation logic circuit 1352 a may perform a processing operation based on data received from the storage controller 1331 a, and may process the received data to generate processed data to be output through the first port of the storage device 1301 a. For example, the operation logic circuit 1352 a may perform a processing operation based on data received through the first port of the storage device 1301, and may process the received data to generate processed data to be provided to the storage controller 1331 a.

To this end, the operation logic circuit 1352 a may be implemented in a hardware circuit configured to perform the processing operation. In some example embodiments, the peer-to-peer manager 1350 a may be implemented in a form of a field programmable gate array (FPGA) board or application specific integrated circuits (ASICs) which is/are separate from the storage controller 1331 a inside a set of the storage device 1301 a. For example, the operation logic circuit 1352 a may be implemented in a reconfigurable logic circuit based on a configuration of the FPGA board.

Accordingly, the peer-to-peer manager 1350 a may process or convert the received data itself to output the processed data or the converted data, rather than simply managing a data flow. The output data may be provided to the storage controller 1331 a, or may be provided to the storage device 1301 b through the first port of the storage device 1301 a. To this end, the peer-to-peer manager 1350 a may include two downstream ports connected to the storage controller 1331 a and the first port of the storage device 1301 a.

The processing operation of the operation logic circuit 1352 may be performed by the main processor 1101. However, in example embodiments, to reduce the workload of the main processor 1101, the storage device 1301 a may perform the processing operation by using the operation logic circuit 1352 a. An example associated with the processing operation will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 to 9.

The storage device 1301 b may include at least one memory device 1310 b, a storage controller 1331 b, and a peer-to-peer manager 1350 b. The storage controller 1331 b may include interface circuits 1335 b and 1336 b. The peer-to-peer manager 1350 b may include an internal switch 1351 b and an operation logic circuit 1352 b.

The peer-to-peer manager 1350 b may be connected to the storage device 1301 c through the first port of the storage device 1301 b and a data path P24 a. The interface circuit 1335 b may be connected to the storage device 1301 a through the second port of the storage device 1301 b and the data path P22 a. The interface circuit 1336 b may be connected to the peer-to-peer manager 1350 b through a data path P25 a.

Operations and configurations of the storage device 1301 b, the memory device 1310 b, the storage controller 1331 b, the interface circuits 1335 b and 1336 b, the peer-to-peer manager 1350 b, the internal switch 1351 b, and the operation logic circuit 1352 b may be substantially identical or similar to those of the storage device 1301 a, the memory device 1310 a, the storage controller 1331 a, the interface circuits 1335 a and 1336 a, the peer-to-peer manager 1350 a, the internal switch 1351 a, and the operation logic circuit 1352 a. For brevity, redundant description will be omitted below.

The storage device 1301 c may include at least one memory device 1310 c, a storage controller 1331 c, and a peer-to-peer manager 1350 c. The storage controller 1331 c may include interface circuits 1335 c and 1336 c. The peer-to-peer manager 1350 c may include an internal switch 1351 c and an operation logic circuit 1352 c.

The peer-to-peer manager 1350 c may be connected to the main processor 1101 through the first port of the storage device 1301 c and a data path P27 a. The interface circuit 1335 c may be connected to the storage device 1301 b through the second port of the storage device 1301 c and the data path P24 a. The interface circuit 1336 c may be connected to the peer-to-peer manager 1350 c through a data path P26 a.

Operations and configurations of the storage device 1301 c, the memory device 1310 c, the storage controller 1331 c, the interface circuits 1335 c and 1336 c, the peer-to-peer manager 1350 c, the internal switch 1351 c, and the operation logic circuit 1352 c may be substantially identical or similar to those of the storage device 1301 a, the memory device 1310 a, the storage controller 1331 a, the interface circuits 1335 a and 1336 a, the peer-to-peer manager 1350 a, the internal switch 1351 a, and the operation logic circuit 1352 a. For brevity, redundant description will be omitted below.

In each of the storage devices 1301 a, 1301 b, and 1301 c, at least one port of the first port and the second port may be connected another storage device. Meanwhile, the other port, which is not connected to the other storage device, from among the first port and the second port may be connected to the host (e.g., the main processor 1101).

For example, in the storage device 1301 b, when both the first port and the second port are connected to other storage devices, the storage device 1301 b may not be connected to the host. In this case, the storage device 1301 b may not communicate directly with the main processor 1101. Instead, the storage device 1301 b may communicate with the main processor 1101 through the storage device 1301 a or 1301 c.

Some ports of the storage devices 1301 a, 1301 b, and 1301 c may not be connected to the main processor 1101. However, when the data paths P21 a and P27 a directed to the main processor 1101 are provided, reliability may be improved. For example, even if the data path P27 a has a failure or is disabled, the data path P21 a may provide communication with the main processor 1101.

FIGS. 6 to 9 are block diagrams for describing example operations associated with the storage devices 1301 a, 1301 b, and 1301 c of FIG. 5.

Example operations of FIGS. 6 to 9 may be associated with a case where the host (e.g., the main processor 1101) requests the RAID operation (e.g., a parity operation) with regard to data D1, D2, and D3 stored in the storage devices 1301 a, 1301 b, and 1301 c. The operation logic circuits 1352 a, 1352 b, and 1352 c may perform the RAID operation as the processing operation.

Referring to FIG. 6, the storage controller 1331 a may receive a request REQ from the main processor 1101 through the second port of the storage device 1301 a and the interface circuit 1335 a. The request REQ may be directed to the storage device 1301 a and another storage device (e.g., the storage devices 1301 b and 1301 c). For example, the request REQ may request calculation of parity which corresponds to the data D1, D2, and D3.

Referring to FIG. 7, the storage controller 1331 a may perform the operation requested with respect to the storage device 1301 a, in response to the request REQ. For example, the storage controller 1331 a may control the memory device 1310 a such that the memory device 1310 a outputs the data D1.

In addition, the storage controller 1331 a may exchange data, which is associated with the operation requested with respect to another storage device, with the peer-to-peer manager 1350 a through the interface circuit 1336 a, in response to the request REQ. For example, the storage controller 1331 a may provide the data D1 to the peer-to-peer manager 1350 a.

The operation logic circuit 1352 a may perform the processing operation based on at least one data of data stored in the memory device 1310 a and/or data received through the second port of the storage device 1301 a. For example, the operation logic circuit 1352 a may perform the processing operation (e.g., a parity operation) based on the data D1.

The operation logic circuit 1352 a may process the data D1 to generate processed data D1′. The data D1′ may be used in an operation to be performed in the storage device 1301 b. The parity operation has been performed only on one data D1, and the data D1′ may be identical to the data D1.

The internal switch 1351 a may manage a flow of the data D1 and D1′. The internal switch 1351 a may receive the data D1 from the storage controller 1331 a, and may output the data D1′ to the first port of the storage device 1301 a. Accordingly, the peer-to-peer manager 1350 a may output the data D1′ to the storage device 1301 b without intervention of the host.

The storage device 1301 a may communicate with the storage device 1301 b through the first port of the storage device 1301 a and the second port of the storage device 1301 b without intervention of the host. The storage controller 1331 b may receive the data D1′ from the storage device 1301 a through the second port of the storage device 1301 b and the interface circuit 1335 b.

Referring to FIG. 8, the storage controller 1331 b may perform the operation requested with respect to the storage device 1301 b. For example, the storage controller 1331 b may control the memory device 1310 b such that the memory device 1310 b outputs the data D2. To this end, for example, the storage controller 1331 b may receive information associated with the data D2 and the request REQ from the storage device 1301 a, together with receiving the data D1′. The storage controller 1331 b may provide the data D1′ and D2 to the peer-to-peer manager 1350 b through the interface circuit 1336 b.

The operation logic circuit 1352 b may perform the processing operation based on at least one data of data stored in the memory device 1310 b and/or data received through the second port of the storage device 1301 b. For example, the operation logic circuit 1352 b may perform the parity operation based on the data D1′ and D2. The operation logic circuit 1352 b may process the data D1′ and D2 to generate processed data D2′.

The parity operation performed by the operation logic circuit 1352 a may include a first portion (e.g., a partial operation on the data D1) of the operation requested by the main processor 1101. As the storage device 1301 a outputs the data D1′ to the storage device 1301 b, the operation logic circuit 1352 b may perform a second portion (e.g., a partial operation on the data D1′ and D2) of the operation requested by the main processor 1101. Herein, the operation of the second portion may not overlap the operation of the first portion.

As the operation logic circuit 1352 b performs the parity operation, the data D2′ may be generated to be different from each of the data D1′ and the data D2. The data D2′ may be used in an operation to be performed in the storage device 1301 c.

The internal switch 1351 b may manage a flow of the data D1′, D2, and D2′. The internal switch 1351 b may receive the data D1′ and D2 from the storage controller 1331 b, and may output the data D2′ to the first port of the storage device 1301 b. The peer-to-peer manager 1350 b may output the data D2′ to the storage device 1301 c without intervention of the host.

The storage device 1301 b may communicate with the storage device 1301 c through the first port of the storage device 1301 b and the second port of the storage device 1301 c without intervention of the host. The storage controller 1331 c may receive the data D2′ from the storage device 1301 b through the second port of the storage device 1301 c and the interface circuit 1335 c.

Referring to FIG. 9, the storage controller 1331 c may control the memory device 1310 c such that the memory device 1310 c outputs the data D3. The storage controller 1331 c may provide the data D2′ and D3 to the peer-to-peer manager 1350 c through the interface circuit 1336 c.

The operation logic circuit 1352 c may perform the parity operation based on the data D2′ and D3. The operation logic circuit 1352 c may generate a parity P as processed data. The parity P may be an operation result which corresponds to the request REQ of the main processor 1101.

The internal switch 1351 c may receive the data D2′ and D3 from the storage controller 1331 b, and may output the parity P to the first port of the storage device 1301 c. The storage device 1301 c may output the parity P through the first port of the storage device 1301 c. Accordingly, the parity P may be provided to the main processor 1101.

The operation requested by the main processor 1101 to obtain the parity P may be distributively performed on the storage devices 1301 a, 1301 b, and 1301 c. The main processor 1101 may not intervene in the parity operation, and thus workload of the main processor 1101 may be reduced. Each of the operation logic circuits 1352 a, 1352 b, and 1352 c may perform a part of the operation. As the partial operations are successively performed, the operation may be completed and the parity P may be obtained.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram for describing example operations associated with the storage devices 1301 a, 1301 b, and 1301 c of FIG. 5.

In some cases, the data path P27 a of FIG. 5 may not be connected. For example, the data path P27 a may have failed or may be disabled. For example, to simplify a circuit configuration, the data path P27 a may not be provided.

In these cases, the storage device 1301 c may provide the parity P to the storage device 1301 b through the second port of the storage device 1301 c and the first port of the storage device 1301 b. In this manner, the parity P may be provided to the main processor 1101 through the storage devices 1301 b and 1301 a. The storage device 1301 a may output the parity P to the main processor 1101 through the second port of the storage device 1301 a.

A direction of a path for transmitting the parity P to the main processor 1101 in the example of FIG. 10 may be opposite to a direction of a path for transmitting the data in the example of FIGS. 6 to 9. The interface circuits 1335 a, 1336 a, 1335 b, 1336 b, 1335 c, and 1336 c and the peer-to-peer managers 1350 a, 1350 b, and 1350 c may support bidirectional communication.

Example operations have been described with reference to FIGS. 6 to 10. However, the descriptions are provided to facilitate better understanding, and are not intended to limit the present disclosure. Operations of the storage devices 1301 a, 1301 b, and 1301 c may be variously changed or modified to provide peer-to-peer communication between the storage devices 1301 a, 1301 b, and 1301 c to perform a processing operation such as the parity operation. In addition, it may be readily understood that example embodiments may also be applied with regard to various processing operations as well as the parity operation.

FIGS. 11 and 12 are block diagrams illustrating example configurations associated with the storage devices 1301 a, 1301 b, and 1301 c of FIG. 5.

Referring to FIG. 11, the main processor 1101 may communicate with the storage devices 1301 a, 1301 b, and 1301 c through data paths P21 b and P27 b. The storage devices 1301 a, 1301 b, and 1301 c may communicate with each other in a peer-to-peer manner through data paths P22 b to P26 b. The data paths P21 b to P27 b may correspond to the data paths P21 a to P27 a.

Unlike the example operations of FIGS. 6 to 10, in the example of FIG. 11, the storage device 1301 c may receive a request from the main processor 1101. The peer-to-peer manager 1350 c may perform a processing operation in response to the request of the main processor 1101, and thus may provide processed data to the storage controller 1331 c.

In this manner, the peer-to-peer managers 1350 c, 1350 b, and 1350 a may distributively perform an operation requested by the main processor 1101, and thus an operation result may be generated. The operation result may be output to the main processor 1101 through the storage controller 1331 a of the storage device 1301 a.

In some example embodiments, an operation logic circuit may not be provided between the main processor 1101 and the storage controller 1331 a. In some cases, additional processing may be required for data output from the storage controller 1331 a to the main processor 1101. For example, an additional parity operation may be required for processed data provided from the peer-to-peer manager 1350 a and data stored in the memory device 1310 a of the storage device 1301 a, and the storage controller 1331 a may provide the processed data and the stored data to the main processor 1101.

In this example, the main processor 1101 may perform the additional parity operation. The main processor 1101 partially intervenes in the processing operation, but the peer-to-peer managers 1350 c, 1350 b, and 1350 a may perform most portions of the operation. In addition, the main processor 1101 may not intervene in communication between the storage devices 1301 a, 1301 b, and 1301 c. Accordingly, the intervention of the main processor 1101 may be minimized.

Referring to FIG. 12, in some cases, the data path P21 b of FIG. 11 may not be connected. For example, the data path P21 b may have failed or may be disabled. For example, to simplify a circuit configuration, the data path P21 b may not be provided. In this case, the operation result of the peer-to-peer manager 1350 a may be provided to the main processor 1101 through the storage devices 1301 b and 1301 c. A direction of a path for transmitting the operation result to the main processor 1101 in the example of FIG. 12 may be opposite to a direction of a path for transmitting the data in the example of FIG. 11.

With regard to the example embodiments described with reference to FIGS. 5 to 12, each of the interface circuits 1335 a, 1336 a, 1335 b, 1336 b, 1335 c, and 1336 c may be connected to the main processor 1101 or downstream ports of the peer-to-peer managers 1350 a, 1350 b, and 1350 c. Accordingly, the interface circuits 1335 a, 1336 a, 1335 b, 1336 b, 1335 c, and 1336 c may operate such that the respective storage devices 1301 a, 1301 b, and 1301 c operate as endpoint devices.

FIGS. 13 and 14 are block diagrams illustrating example configurations associated with the storage device 1300 a of FIG. 1.

Referring to FIG. 13, in some example embodiments, the storage device 1300 a may include a storage device 1302 a. The storage device 1302 a may include at least one memory device 1310 a, a storage controller 1332 a, and an operation logic circuit 1355 a. The storage controller 1332 a may include an interface circuit 1337 a and a variable interface circuit 1338 a.

The storage controller 1332 a, the interface circuit 1337 a, and the operation logic circuit 1355 a may correspond to the storage controller 1331 a, the interface circuit 1335 a, and the operation logic circuit 1352 a respectively. The storage controller 1332 a may control and manage overall operations of the storage device 1302 a. The interface circuit 1337 a may support communication with a device A (e.g., a host or other storage device) outside the storage device 1302 a through a second port of the storage device 1302 a.

The operation logic circuit 1355 a may perform a processing operation to generate processed data. The operation logic circuit 1355 a may exchange data with a device B (e.g., a host or other storage device) outside the storage device 1302 a through a first port of the storage device 1302 a. The operation logic circuit 1355 a may be connected to the variable interface circuit 1338 a.

The internal switch 1351 a and the operation logic circuit 1352 a described with reference to FIGS. 5 to 12 may be implemented on a single component (e.g., a single FPGA board, a single chip, or the like). However, in some example embodiments, the internal switch 1351 a and the operation logic circuit 1352 a may be implemented in separate components (e.g., separate chips, separate circuits, or the like). When the internal switch 1351 a is separated from the operation logic circuit 1352 a, in some example embodiments, the internal switch 1351 a may be implemented within the storage controller 1331 a.

For example, the variable interface circuit 1338 a of the storage controller 1332 a may include configurations of the internal switch 1351 a and may perform operations of the internal switch 1351 a. The variable interface circuit 1338 a may operate in an operation mode which is selected from among a plurality of operation modes. The operation mode may be selected based on whether the first port of the storage device 1302 a is connected to the device B and a type of the connected device B.

For example, the operation mode of the variable interface circuit 1338 a may include an endpoint operation mode associated with an operation of an endpoint device (e.g., for supporting the storage device 1302 a such that the storage device 1302 a operates as an endpoint device). For example, the operation mode of the variable interface circuit 1338 a may include a switch operation mode associated with communication with the device B (e.g., for supporting the communication with the device B).

To this end, the variable interface circuit 1338 a may include a hardware circuit of a physical layer and/or a logical layer configured to transmit/receive and process data, a signal, and/or a packet. In addition, the variable interface circuit 1338 a may include a hardware circuit of a root complex and/or a switch to manage data exchange with the device B. The variable interface circuit 1338 a may operate differently based on the selected operation mode.

Referring to FIG. 14, in some example embodiments, the storage device 1300 a may include a storage device 1303 a. The storage device 1303 a may include at least one memory device 1310 a and a storage controller 1333 a. The storage controller 1333 a may include the interface circuit 1337 a, the variable interface circuit 1338 a, and an embedded operation logic circuit 1339 a. The storage controller 1333 a may correspond to the storage controller 1331 a, and may control and manage overall operations of the storage device 1303 a.

The interface circuit 1337 a may be connected to a second port of the storage device 1303 a, and may support communication with a device A through the second port of the storage device 1303 a. The variable interface circuit 1338 a may be connected to a first port of the storage device 1303 a, and may support communication with a device B through the first port of the storage device 1303 a. The variable interface circuit 1338 a may operate in an operation mode which is selected based on whether the first port of the storage device 1303 a is connected to the device B and a type of the connected device B.

In some example embodiments, the operation logic circuit 1352 a or 1355 a may also be implemented within the storage controller 1331 a. For example, the embedded operation logic circuit 1339 a of the storage controller 1333 a may include configurations of the operation logic circuit 1352 a or 1355 a and may perform operations of the operation logic circuit 1352 a or 1355 a.

The interface circuit 1337 a, the variable interface circuit 1338 a, and the embedded operation logic circuit 1339 a may communicate with each other through an internal bus of the storage controller 1333 a. For example, the embedded operation logic circuit 1339 a may be implemented in a form of an embedded FPGA or embedded ASICs. For example, the embedded operation logic circuit 1339 a may be implemented in a reconfigurable logic circuit.

The embedded operation logic circuit 1339 a may perform a processing operation. The embedded operation logic circuit 1339 a may process data received through the first port of the storage device 1303 a to generate processed data to be output through the second port of the storage device 1303 a. The embedded operation logic circuit 1339 a may process data received through the second port of the storage device 1303 a to generate processed data to be output through the first port of the storage device 1303 a.

FIG. 15 is a block diagram illustrating an example configuration associated with the storage devices 1300 a, 1300 b, and 1300 c of FIG. 1.

In some example embodiments, the storage devices 1300 a, 1300 b, and 1300 c may include storage devices 1303 a, 1303 b, and 1303 c respectively. Each of the storage devices 1303 a, 1303 b, and 1303 c may be implemented in a dual-port structure, and the storage devices 1303 a, 1303 b, and 1303 c may communicate with each other in a peer-to-peer manner without intervention of the host (e.g., the main processor 1101).

The storage device 1303 b may include at least one memory device 1310 b and a storage controller 1333 b. The storage controller 1333 b may include an interface circuit 1337 b, a variable interface circuit 1338 b, and an embedded operation logic circuit 1339 b. Configurations and operations of the storage controller 1333 b, the interface circuit 1337 b, the variable interface circuit 1338 b, and the embedded operation logic circuit 1339 b may be substantially identical or similar to those of the storage controller 1333 a, the interface circuit 1337 a, the variable interface circuit 1338 a, and the embedded operation logic circuit 1339 a.

The storage device 1303 c may include at least one memory device 1310 c and a storage controller 1333 c. The storage controller 1333 c may include an interface circuit 1337 c, a variable interface circuit 1338 c, and an embedded operation logic circuit 1339 c. Configurations and operations of the storage controller 1333 c, the interface circuit 1337 c, the variable interface circuit 1338 c, and the embedded operation logic circuit 1339 c may be substantially identical or similar to those of the storage controller 1333 a, the interface circuit 1337 a, the variable interface circuit 1338 a, and the embedded operation logic circuit 1339 a. For brevity, redundant description will be omitted below.

The interface circuit 1337 a may be connected to the second port of the storage device 1303 a. The second port of the storage device 1303 a may provide a data path P21 c between the storage controller 1333 a and the main processor 1101. Accordingly, the storage device 1303 a may communicate with the main processor 1101 and may exchange data with the main processor 1101 through the data path P21 c.

The embedded operation logic circuit 1339 a may perform a processing operation based on at least one data of data stored in the memory device 1310 a and/or data received through the second port (or the first port) of the storage device 1303 a. The embedded operation logic circuit 1339 a may perform the processing operation to generate processed data. The processed data may be output to another device (e.g., the main processor 1101, the storage device 1303 b, and/or the like) through the first port (or the second port) of the storage device 1303 a.

The variable interface circuit 1338 a may be connected to the first port of the storage device 1303 a. The interface circuit 1337 b may be connected to the second port of the storage device 1303 b. The first port of the storage device 1303 a and the second port of the storage device 1303 b may provide a data path P22 c between the storage controller 1333 a and the storage controller 1333 b. Accordingly, the storage device 1303 a may communicate with the storage device 1303 b and may exchange data with the storage device 1303 b in a peer-to-peer manner without intervention of the main processor 1101.

The embedded operation logic circuit 1339 b may perform a processing operation based on at least one data of data stored in the memory device 1310 b and/or data received through the second port (or the first port) of the storage device 1303 b. The embedded operation logic circuit 1339 b may perform the processing operation to generate processed data. The processed data may be output to another device (e.g., the storage device 1303 a or 1303 c) through the first port (or the second port) of the storage device 1303 b.

Likewise, the first port of the storage device 1303 b and the second port of the storage device 1303 c may provide a data path P24 c between the storage controller 1333 b and the storage controller 1333 c. The storage device 1303 b may communicate with the storage device 1303 c and may exchange data with the storage device 1303 c through the variable interface circuit 1338 b, the data path P24 c, and the interface circuit 1337 c in a peer-to-peer manner without intervention of the main processor 1101.

The first port of the storage device 1303 c may provide a data path P27 c between the storage controller 1333 c and the main processor 1101. The storage device 1303 c may communicate with the main processor 1101 and may exchange data with the main processor 1101 through the variable interface circuit 1338 c and the data path P27 c. The embedded operation logic circuit 1339 c may generate processed data based on at least one data of data received through the first port and/or the second port of the storage device 1303 c and data stored in the memory device 1310 c.

For example, the storage controller 1333 a may receive a request directed to the storage devices 1303 a, 1303 b, and 1303 c through the interface circuit 1337 a. The storage controller 1333 a may perform the operation requested with respect to the storage device 1303 a. The storage controller 1333 a may output or receive data, which is associated with the operation requested with respect to the storage devices 1303 b and 1303 c, through the variable interface circuit 1338 a.

The embedded operation logic circuits 1339 a, 1339 b, and 1339 c may distributively perform the operation requested by the main processor 1101. Accordingly, the storage controller 1333 c may output data of an operation result corresponding to the request of the main processor 1101, to the main processor 1101 through the variable interface circuit 1338 c. In some cases, the storage controller 1333 c may receive data or a request from the main processor 1101 through the variable interface circuit 1338 c.

Operations and configurations of the storage devices 1303 a, 1303 b, and 1303 c may be similar to those described with reference to FIGS. 5 to 12. In some cases, the data path P21 c or P27 c may not be provided, and the storage controllers 1333 a, 1333 b, and 1333 c may support bidirectional communication. FIG. 15 illustrates a configuration associated with the storage device 1303 a of FIG. 14, but it may be readily understood that the storage device 1302 a of FIG. 13 may also be employed in a similar manner to those described with reference to FIGS. 5 to 12 and 15.

Each of the interface circuits 1337 a, 1337 b, and 1337 c may be connected to the main processor 1101 or a downstream port. The interface circuits 1337 a, 1337 b, and 1337 c may operate in the endpoint operation mode. The variable interface circuit 1338 c may be connected to the main processor 1101, and thus may operate in the endpoint operation mode. As the variable interface circuit 1338 c operates in the endpoint operation mode, the first port of the storage device 1303 c may be understood as a downstream port.

The variable interface circuits 1338 a and 1338 b may be respectively connected to the storage devices 1303 b and 1303 c. Each of the variable interface circuits 1338 a and 1338 b may operate in the switch operation mode to support communication with an external storage device. In the switch operation mode, the variable interface circuits 1338 a and 1338 b may provide a function of a root complex and/or a switch to manage data exchange. As the variable interface circuits 1338 a and 1338 b operate in the switch operation mode, the first port of each of the storage devices 1303 a and 1303 b may be understood as an upstream port.

FIG. 15 illustrates that each of the storage devices 1303 a, 1303 b, and 1303 c includes one variable interface circuit. In some example embodiments, each of the storage devices 1303 a, 1303 b, and 1303 c may include two variable interface circuits. For example, the interface circuit 1337 a of the storage device 1303 a may also be implemented in a variable interface circuit. In this case, the interface circuit 1337 a may support communication with an external storage device as well as communication with the main processor 1101, and thus flexibility for connection of the storage device 1303 a may be improved.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart describing an example operation of the variable interface circuit of FIG. 15.

As power is supplied to a storage device and the storage device is turned on, the storage device may initialize a configuration (S110). For example, the storage device may recognize and configure states of components, a state of connection to an external device, a setting value, and/or the like, during a booting operation.

Afterwards, the storage device may set a linkup state with the connected external device (S120). The linkup state may be provided to recognize the opponent device and establish a circumstance for communication with the opponent device. To set the linkup state, the storage device may provide the external device with information (e.g., a device type, a communication capability, a configuration of a transmitter/receiver circuit, and/or the like) of the storage device, and may receive information of the external device from the external device.

According to the linkup state, the storage device may obtain the information of the connected external device (S130). For example, the storage device 1303 a may recognize that an external device connected through the variable interface circuit 1338 a is another storage device 1303 b, and the storage device 1303 c may recognize that an external device connected through the variable interface circuit 1338 c is the main processor 1101. In some example embodiments, the storage device may recognize a type of an external device through an additional pin (e.g., a general purpose input/output (GPIO) pin) irrespective of the linkup state.

The storage device may select an operation mode of an interface circuit based on the information of the connected external device (S140). For example, the storage controller 1333 a may control the variable interface circuit 1338 a to operate in the switch operation mode in response to the connection to another storage device 1303 b, and the storage controller 1333 c may control the variable interface circuit 1338 c to operate in the endpoint operation mode in response to the connection to the main processor 1101.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart describing an example operation of the variable interface circuit of FIG. 15.

For example, a variable interface circuit may first attempt to operate in the switch operation mode. In the attempted switch operation mode, the variable interface circuit may transmit a test signal (S210). The test signal may be configured to be suitable for identifying whether an external device is connected to the variable interface circuit and a type of the external device. For another example, the variable interface circuit may first attempt to operate in the endpoint operation mode and may transmit a test signal.

The variable interface circuit or a storage controller may determine whether a response corresponding to the test signal is received (S220). When the response is not received (No of S220), this may mean that the variable interface circuit is not connected to the external device. In this case, the variable interface circuit may operate in the endpoint operation mode or may be turned off (S240). The turn-off may mean a state where an intended function or operation is not performed without power being supplied.

When the response is received (Yes of S220), this may mean that the variable interface circuit is connected to the external device. For example, a response from an endpoint device (e.g., a storage device) may be implemented to be different from a response from a host (e.g., the main processor 1101). In this case, the variable interface circuit or the storage controller may determine a type of the external device corresponding to the response (e.g., may determine whether the response is associated with the endpoint device or with the host) (S230).

When the response is associated with the endpoint device (Yes of S230), the variable interface circuit may operate in the switch operation mode (S250). For example, the variable interface circuit 1338 a may provide an operation of a root complex and/or a switch in the switch operation mode based on the response from the storage device 1303 b.

When the response is associated with the host (No of S230), the variable interface circuit may operate in the endpoint operation mode (S260). For example, the variable interface circuit 1338 c may support communication of the endpoint device in the endpoint operation mode based on the response from the main processor 1101.

FIG. 18 is a block diagram illustrating an example configuration associated with the storage devices 1300 a, 1300 b, and 1300 c of FIG. 1.

In some example embodiments, the storage devices 1300 a, 1300 b, and 1300 c may include storage devices 1304 a, 1301 b, 1301 c, 1304 d, and 1304 e. Similarly to the example configuration of FIG. 5, the storage devices 1304 a, 1301 b, and 1301 c may be connected to each other and may communicate with each other in a peer-to-peer manner.

For example, a peer-to-peer manager 1357 a may include three downstream ports. Two downstream ports of the three downstream ports may be connected to the storage controllers 1331 a and 1331 b, respectively. The other downstream port of the three downstream ports may be connected to a storage controller 1331 d of the storage device 1304 d.

Similarly to the connection between the storage devices 1304 a, 1301 b, 1301 c, the storage devices 1304 a, 1304 d, and 1304 e may be connected to each other and may communicate with each other in a peer-to-peer manner. A peer-to-peer manager 1350 d may be connected to storage controllers 1331 d and 1331 e through two downstream ports. A peer-to-peer manager 1350 e may be connected to the storage controller 1331 e and the main processor 1101 through the two downstream ports.

The peer-to-peer managers 1357 a, 1350 b, 1350 c, 1350 d, and 1350 e may manage a data flow, and may distributively perform an operation requested by the main processor 1101. It may be readily understood that connection between storage devices may be variously changed or modified depending on the number of downstream ports included in each peer-to-peer manager. Such change or modification may be similarly applied to the example configurations described with reference to FIGS. 13 to 15.

FIG. 19 is a conceptual diagram illustrating an example implementation associated with the electronic system 1000 of FIG. 1.

For example, the electronic system 1000 may be implemented in a server 1000 c. The storage devices 1300 a, 1300 b, and 1300 c may be implemented in a dual-port structure, and may be connected to or equipped in the server 1000 c.

The connector 1390 a of the storage device 1300 a may be connected to a backplane 1007 through a cable P21 d and a connector 1007 a. FIG. 19 illustrates connection implemented through the cable P21 d. However, in some example embodiments, the connector 1390 a may be connected directly to the connector 1007 a.

The connector 1395 a of the storage device 1300 a may be connected to a connector 1390 b of the storage device 1300 b through a cable P22 d. A connector 1395 b of the storage device 1300 b may be connected to a connector 1390 c of the storage device 1300 c through a cable P24 d. A connector 1395 c of the storage device 1300 c may be connected to the backplane 1007 through a cable P27 d and a connector 1007 c; in some example embodiments, the connector 1395 c may not be connected to the backplane 1007.

In this manner, the storage devices 1300 a, 1300 b, and 1300 c may communicate with each other in a peer-to-peer manner. Peer-to-peer connection between the storage devices 1300 a, 1300 b, and 1300 c may be completely separated from the backplane 1007. Accordingly, the main processor 1101 may not intervene in communication between the storage devices 1300 a, 1300 b, and 1300 c.

The main processor 1101 may be connected to the backplane 1007 through conductive lines L21, and thus may communicate with the storage device 1300 a. The main processor 1101 may communicate with the storage device 1300 c through conductive lines L27; in some cases, the conductive lines L27 may not be provided.

The above descriptions are intended to provide example configurations and operations for implementing the present disclosure. The present disclosure may include implementations which may be obtained by simply changing or modifying the above example embodiments, in addition to the above-described example embodiments. Also, the present disclosure may include implementations which may be accomplished by easily changing or modifying the above-described example embodiments in the future. 

1-20. (canceled)
 21. A storage device comprising: a storage controller interposed between a first port of the storage device and a second port of the storage device; and a memory device, wherein the storage device is configured to, when the first port is connected to an external storage device, output first data to the external storage device through the first port without intervention of a host, the first data being generated based on at least one from among second data stored in the memory device and third data received through the second port.
 22. The storage device of claim 21, wherein the first data is generated to be different from each of the second data and the third data.
 23. The storage device of claim 21, further comprising a peer-to-peer manager configured to provide a path for transferring data in a peer-to-peer manner between the storage controller and the external storage device.
 24. The storage device of claim 23, wherein the peer-to-peer manager comprises: an internal switch configured to manage a flow of the at least one from among the second data and the third data and a flow of the first data; and an operation logic circuit configured to generate the first data based on the at least one from among the second data and the third data.
 25. The storage device of claim 21, wherein the storage controller comprises: a variable interface circuit connected to the first port, the variable interface circuit being configured to operate in a plurality of operation modes; and an embedded operation logic circuit configured to generate the first data based on the at least one from among the second data and the third data.
 26. The storage device of claim 25, wherein a switch operation mode for supporting communication with the external storage device is one of the plurality of operation modes, wherein an endpoint operation mode for supporting operation of an end point device is one of the plurality of operation modes, and wherein the variable interface circuit is configured to: operate in the switch operation mode when the first port is connected to the external storage device, and operate in the endpoint operation mode when the first port is connected to the host.
 27. A storage system comprising: a first storage device comprising a first port and a second port; and a second storage device comprising a third port, wherein the second port is connected to the third port, and the first storage device is configured to communicate with the second storage device through the second port and the third port without intervention of a host, wherein the first storage device is configured to output first data through the second port based on at least one data of second data received through the first port and third data stored in the first storage device, wherein the second storage device is configured to generate fourth data based on at least one from among the first data received through the third port and fifth data stored in the second storage device, and wherein an operation result corresponding to a request of the host is provided to the host based on the fourth data.
 28. The storage system of claim 27, wherein the operation result is generated distributively from the first storage device and the second storage device based on an operation requested by the host.
 29. The storage system of claim 27, wherein the second storage device further comprises a fourth port which is not connected to the first storage device, wherein each of the first port and the fourth port is configured to be connected to the host, wherein the first storage device is configured to receive the request through the first port from the host, and wherein the second storage device is configured to output the operation result to the host through the fourth port based on the fourth data.
 30. The storage system of claim 27, wherein the second storage device is configured to transmit the operation result to the first storage device through the third port and the second port, and wherein the first storage device is configured to output the operation result received from the second storage device to the host through the first port. 